Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Maximilian Du Neven
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115
11
Maximilian Du Neven.
This man with a name that was hard even to pronounce had incredibly sharp instincts.
He could instinctively grasp whether an opponent was someone he could take on, and how to subdue them without breaking a sweat—and then he acted on it.
Subduing without effort meant exactly that, in the literal sense.
Without exerting any strength, he pressured them simply with a few words and his presence.
His naturally intimidating features and the scar on his face from a childhood accident were a huge help.
In that way, he crushed his enemies from the very bottom.
In the process, he earned trust and gained subordinates.
His first subordinate was an informant.
Thanks to that, Maximilian gained access to all sorts of information, allowing him to further leverage his strengths.
From a certain point on, Maximilian no longer needed to step up to the front lines himself.
Once he became the boss of a faction, issuing orders became his main job.
A crime organization boss who had never fought anyone himself.
Yet his unique aura was so intense that rumors spread everywhere.
That he could send a man flying with one punch, or knock someone out with a mere glare, and even that he was a user of some lost ancient magic...
There was no need or opportunity to correct those facts.
Before he knew it, Maximilian had ascended to the ranks of the continent's renowned powerhouses.
That was Maximilian Du Neven's backstory as laid out in the setting notes.
If he had ever actually fought someone, he would have fallen from grace long ago. What luck—or was it that his instincts and acting skills were just that good?
That had been my impression before.
But now that I knew the Precursors were backing Wipera...
He must have been the perfect figurehead against the Precursors.
Someone with a modicum of ability but weak enough to manipulate at will.
And with his typical strong-against-weak, weak-against-strong nature, he would never rebel against the Precursors.
If need be, they could discard Maximilian and control Wipera directly without issue.
In other words, he was a puppet boss.
"It's true. That's everything I know."
"You're speaking informally?"
"Of course. I've been rude. But that's really everything. Please believe me!"
Maximilian immediately dropped to his knees and slammed his forehead to the ground.
The expression he flashed my way was pitiful enough for anyone to see.
Even with that face, making a pitiful expression...
It would suit a full-grown bear making one far better.
"...So it was to a wretch like this that my brothers in resurrection fell...?"
Kyriakos muttered in hollow despair, unable to hide his shock.
I'd been pretty shocked myself when I first learned Vipera's boss was such a guy.
But Kyriakos had come this far for revenge against those who were like family to him.
The shock he felt was undoubtedly greater than mine, if not equal.
"...However, the grudge of my brothers remains unchanged."
Kyriakos quickly pulled himself together and exuded killing intent.
As strength entered the hand gripping his sword hilt, Maximilian trembled and bowed his head again.
"I don't know who it is, but please spare me just once! It's my fault! Whatever it was, it's all my fault!"
"How many have begged for their lives before you like this?"
"That's..."
"No need to answer. I have no interest in your excuses. Above all, you did not spare them."
Pierced to the core, Maximilian fell silent.
Kyriakos looked down at him coldly and slowly raised his sword.
"Max, James, Barto, Camel, Bolova, Pafang, Benjamin, Scarlett, and Micaen. I shall now honor the souls of my brothers who lost their lives by your command."
"Wait...!"
Page hurriedly tried to stop Kyriakos.
But before she could, I blocked her path.
"Why are you stopping him?!"
"On the contrary, Knight, why are you interfering?"
"Private revenge violates the kingdom's laws. Even aside from that, Maximilian is a major criminal. He must pay the proper penalty, and I have a duty to ensure that process. Above all, if Maximilian dies, we can't purge the nobles and ministers colluding with Wipera."
Every point was valid.
Even so, I didn't step aside.
No, I couldn't.
It wasn't because I'd promised to help with Kyriakos's revenge.
If that were the only reason... I would have stopped him, even if it meant earning his hatred.
But right now, Kyriakos wasn't the Kyriakos I knew.
He had been greatly shaken from the righteous path and was questioning his own way forward.
I was simply watching to see which path he would choose.
And no matter which he chose, I had to watch and support him.
That was the responsibility I bore for giving him choices in the first place.
Kyriakos was serene.
He held his sword raised high, motionless for a long while.
His downcast violet eyes seemed unable to reach a conclusion amid complex deliberations.
Finally, having steeled his resolve, Kyriakos swung his sword down.
With a smooth *shing*, the blade tracing a clean arc... embedded itself beside Maximilian's cheek.
"Hic...!"
Startled by the sharp sound, Maximilian pried open his tightly shut eyes and freaked out.
Kyriakos retrieved the sword, which had lodged close enough to graze his cheek, and spoke in a voice colder than ever—yet strained, as if holding back tears.
"I spare you because my brother Micaen would not have wished it. My brothers lost their lives to your hand, but your life survived by theirs. Never forget that fact until the day you die. If you do, I will find you wherever you hide and claim your life."
Having poured out his words, Kyriakos turned and left the room first.
I let out a sigh of relief.
I'd half-worried he might actually strike...
Still, the fact that he'd chosen to dream of the future over revenge brought a smile to my face.
12
"Thanks to your cooperation, we've arrested all of Wipera and its subordinate organization members, as well as the nobles and ministers colluding with them."
In the annex's reception room, Ludwig faced me and tilted his teacup with a refreshed voice.
His blond hair gleamed, and even his skin had a luster to it—he must have gotten a good night's sleep.
"I heard it was difficult to mobilize the knights, but you've wiped them all out in one night?"
"The royal knights couldn't be moved. But if it's not the knights themselves, there's no issue. They're what you might call hidden allies."
Ludwig, saying this, looked excited like a boy his age.
His green eyes sparkled, brimming with enthusiasm.
I'd suspected as much when he mentioned hiding his claws, but to think they really existed...
The hidden allies Ludwig spoke of were a secret organization formed to oppose the Precursors.
Given the Precursors' scale, Leon couldn't handle them alone.
Their name was Lunox.
An organization secretly founded by the Prince of Benevolence, Ludwig.
I'd thought it hadn't been created yet, but it seemed he'd been building it from the shadows while pretending to be an ordinary 12-year-old.
More than that, was he really 12?
Choco too... This world was truly incomprehensible...
"Is it alright to tell me about these hidden allies?"
"You're someone worthy of trust. If any problems arise from this, it would be my own failing. Don't worry about it."
As expected of the Prince of Benevolence.
What magnanimity.
"Have you heard of the Precursors?"
"I know a fair bit."
I knew plenty, but explaining would be a hassle, so I glossed over it.
Ludwig muttered something like "I see..." and nodded.
"I don't know how much you know, but the Precursors are scheming to plunge the continent into chaos for their own goals. I can't allow that. As one born of royal blood, I'm preparing to stop them."
To reveal this much.
It was practically spilling everything.
He must trust me a great deal.
"I wish you all the success in the world."
"Thank you. To that end, I'd like your help as well. To be direct: Won't you join me?"
"...Pardon?"
What did I just hear?
Join him? Lunox?
Me...?
No way in hell.
I'm already exhausted from being tangled up with Leon.
If I got involved with Lunox too, any hope of a peaceful life would vanish.
"I'm grateful for the offer, but... it's far too much for someone like me."
"I see. That's a shame, but it can't be helped."
Ludwig smiled as if deflated.
"Still, if you change your mind, tell me anytime. I'll always have a place ready for you."
"Understood."
Of course, that would never happen, not even over my dead body.
For now, I smiled and replied. Ludwig set down his teacup, lightly clapped his hands, and said,
"That aside, the royal family owes you a great debt. Combined with your previous contributions, we must offer fitting recompense. Is there anything you desire?"
"I'd like the Earth Dragon's Heart."
The moment compensation came up, I named it without hesitation.
I'd deliberately postponed the previous reward to claim the biggest possible one now.
Not only had I resolved the royal family's greatest corruption scandal, but I'd also dismantled the largest crime syndicate.
Combining those merits, even a royal treasure as reward wouldn't be out of place—but I didn't need that stuff, so the slightly lesser Earth Dragon's Heart would suffice.
Absorbing it would boost stamina and make my body even tougher, so no more coughing up blood after fights.
"The Earth Dragon's Heart... It requires His Majesty's permission, so I can't confirm immediately. I can't promise a timeline either, but I will definitely obtain it!"
"Thank you. I'll trust in you, Your Highness."
Hmm, if it needs the current king's approval, it'll take time.
There are circumstances justifying that, but since Ludwig hadn't brought it up, I played ignorant too.
Still, it felt a bit light for the labor involved.
After a quick think, I added a condition that occurred to me.
"And is there a spot open in the royal magic tower?"
12
"The proposal was rejected."
In the reception room after Theo Agrit left.
With Page at his side, Ludwig spun the cold teacup idly as he spoke.
"That must be disappointing."
"It was at first... but he must have his reasons."
"You seem to trust Theo Agrit greatly."
At his loyal knight's question, Ludwig nodded without hesitation.
"A conviction that doesn't bend even before royalty, the resolve and courage to charge into enemy territory to purge crime—such qualities are rare. If we had ten more like him, our kingdom wouldn't have rotted to this extent."
"That's why you formed Lunox."
True enough.
Shrugging, Ludwig set down the cold teacup.
"According to our informants... it seems Theo Agrit has already clashed with quite a few Precursors, though it's not widely known. His one failing record at Esterro Academy is surprising, but since he aced the finals, there must have been circumstances."
Every indicator pointed to Theo Agrit not being an ordinary student.
So there had to be a good reason for the refusal.
Page nodded toward his lord, who calmly voiced his speculations.
"Not only creativity in striking enemy weaknesses, but no injuries despite engaging them. Above all, he had prior knowledge of Vipera's boss Maximilian's abilities, despite the veil of secrecy."
"He must have his own independent informants."
"Indeed. But what stood out most was his attitude toward his comrades. He seemed to understand them more deeply than anyone."
"Then he has leadership qualities too. Born in a different era, he could have been a war hero."
Ludwig smiled in satisfaction, but it didn't last.
He quickly schooled his expression into one far too cold for a 12-year-old and propped his chin.
"Among the punished nobles and officials this time, a significant portion belonged to my elder brother's faction. Given the breadth and Vipera's intermediary role, I can't definitively say my brother has ties to the Precursors... but it's worth watching."
"I'll look into it."
"As always, discreetly and without being discovered."
To remain outwardly the harmless, lovable Third Prince.
Escorting his loyal knight, Ludwig wore a meaningful smile that no 12-year-old could possibly have.